Sports

Jenna Prandini advances to semifinals in 200 at world track championships

Fresno Bee staff and news services
Team USA’s Jenna Prandini looks at her time from a round one of the women’s 200 meters at the World Athletics Championships on Wednesday at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing. Prandini finished second in the heat to advance to the semifinal round.
Team USA’s Jenna Prandini looks at her time from a round one of the women’s 200 meters at the World Athletics Championships on Wednesday at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing. Prandini finished second in the heat to advance to the semifinal round. DAVID J. PHILLIP ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jenna Prandini took a strong first step on track and field’s biggest stage Wednesday, finishing second in her 200-meter heat to advance to the semifinals at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

Prandini, the former Clovis High star and current Oregon standout, was clocked at 22.95. Her personal best is 22.20.

“My main goal is to make it through and I did that,” Prandini said. “I haven’t raced since U.S. Champs, so I knocked a little rust off and it went well.”

The semifinals at National Stadium are scheduled for Thursday and the final for Friday.

“The crowd is crazy and it’s fun to run here,” Prandini said. “I thought I’d be more nervous. It’s definitely exciting to be out on that track. It’s been a long season, but I’m excited and ready to run fast.”

Earlier this year, Prandini won the 200 at the U.S. national championship meet in Eugene, Oregon. At the NCAA championships, also in Eugene, was won the 100 and was second in the 200.

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 6:16 AM with the headline "Jenna Prandini advances to semifinals in 200 at world track championships."

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